Static eliminator



Jun 20, 1939. SIMONS 2,163,294

STATIC ELIMINATOR I Filed Nov. 21, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 20, 1939.J SIMONS 2,163,294

STATIC ELIKINATOR Filed Nov. 21, 1936, 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

J54 z'us Sz'mons, BY 6 ATTORN June 20, 1939. J. SIMONS sumo nuumnonFiled NOV. 21. 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR, J2 has Simona, L; My

' A'rmxifirv" Patented June 20, 1939 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE3Claims.

The object of the invention is to provide improved types of staticeliminator-s with particular regard for making such devices ofincreasedQefficiency, but substantially decreasedsize or bulk,

as compared with those heretofore available; I

Many factors are met and considered in the construction, applicationa'iimuse of static eliminators, as, for instance, when there are severalmachines of identical design handling the same material under the sameconditions, one such machine will be found to experience considerablestatic trouble, while the others will be relatively free therefrom.Again, one lot of material which, as far as anyone can judge, is exactlyuniform in construction, chemical content or structure and comes fromthe same source, will de-. velop or produce a marked degree of staticelectricity, while other lots will run 'under the same conditions ofhandling with little or no trouble a at all. Dryair notoriouslylendsitself to ionization much more readily than does moist air, whereforestatic electricity is much more prevalent in dry than in moistatmosphere.

Frequently merely subjecting materials to suda den changes intemperature will cause the material to take on or emphasize a charge ofstatic electricity without friction being involved. When material beingprocessed is" of highly absorbent nature, and the surroundinghumidity\can be a artificially increased, the diificulty of staticelimination is considerably reduced by increasing the relative humidityby well-known methods. However, when the material is relativelynon-absorbent, or when it must be worked dry in order to ll obtain aparticular finish or physical result, other means must be devised toeliminate static, and the most successful and logical method has been toneutralize the existing charge by means of a charge of the opposite signor character.

ll This'may be accomplished efliciently by means of the high voltagetype of static eliminator, and the method employed in such case involvesa transformer to step up the current. to several thousand volts. Thishigh voltage is then trans- "mitted to applicators, mounted upon themachine within or through which the material is being processed, closeto the point or points at which the static charges may be causingtrouble. The a applicators usually take the form of a cylindrical barwith points projecting radially from the bar,

the said points not being connected directly to the transformer voltage,but their current supply by induction through a dielectric, theeiliciency and ultimate of the device, as a unit, depending in such caseupon the design'of the inductive elements.

By proper balance of the elements involved, one may obtain a maximumneutralizing power with a minimum of shock. The points of the static bar5 are directed towards the material to be discharged, not actuallytouching the material, but being spaced therefrom by as much as orthereabouts. The points produce a constantly reversing field of highpotential in the path of 10 the material being processed, and adistinctly noticeable draft of air is produced away from and in axialalignment with the axes. of such discharge points. No matter whether theundesired charge to be eliminated is positive or negative, the rapidlyreversing field of the bar adjacent to said points always effects aneutralization of the same.

Another object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an efficientstatic eliminator; such as go is adapted to fit the smallest and mostintricate machines, as for instance packaging, wrapping, folding, bag,envelope, paper making and many other types of machines; to provide aneliminator which is so flexible in design that it can be employed tocover only a single point, a row of points in either a straight orcurved line, points scattered throughout the machine and frequently inrelatively inaccessible places, or an arrangement such as may berepresented by an intricate a0 geometrical figure; to provide aneliminator that is so relatively inexpensive in production and operationthat it can be applied freely to many parts of the same machine or to aseries of machines; to provide an eliminator capable of a wide range 35of adjustment, both as to the voltage and the quantity and quality ofthe discharge at the points of the bar; and to provide an eliminatorwhich, while primarily designed for use in connection with small typesof machines, is likewise adapted to fit the largest types of printingpresses, paper making. and converting machines, and the largest and mostcomplicated textile machines, to mention only a few of the manytypes ofapparatus to which the device is adapted.

With the foregoing objects in mind, the present invention-comprisesfurther details of construction and operation, which are hereinafterfully brought out in the following description, when read in conjunctionwith the accompany- 5o ing drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a frontelevational view, partially in section, showing a device comprising oneembodiment of the invention;

figJZ is a vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a planview showing a modified as form of the invention beneath an aperturedguard or guide plate and a superimposed sheet or web, said plate andsaid sheet or web being cut away irregularly to show the staticeliminator 'therebeneath; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;Fig. 5 is a. plan view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a still furthermodification of the invention; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 ofFig. 5; Fig. 7 is an elevational view, partially in section, showing astill fur- .ther modified form of static eliminator of extremely simpleconstruction; Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig.7; Fig. 9 is afront elevational view of a relatively much smaller modified form ofstatic eliminator; Fig. 10' is a sec-- tion on the line lD-lll of Fig.9; Fig. 11 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of one end portion of thestructure shown in Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 12 is an end elevation of animproved form ,of cylindrical or coiled condenser, termed a. neutrostat,with one end of the same partially broken away to show the interiorthereof; Fig. 13 is. an extended or developed view showing the elementscontained within said cylindrical condenser in plan; Fig. 14 is avertical longitudinal sectional view through a casing containing a stillfurther modified form of static eliminator, said eliminator beingprincipally shown in elevation, but a portion of the same being alsobroken away to show the interior construction thereof; and Fig. 15 is adiagrammatic view showing the condenser of Figs. 12 and 13, operativelyarranged with respect to a moving web and also in operative associationwith an energizing electric circuit.

I Referring to Figs. 1 and intended to "represent either a sheet-or web,which may be traveling through any particular type of machine, duringwhich travel it acquires either a positive or a negative charge ofstatic electricity, and which charge it is desired to eliminate in orderto facilitate the handling,

stacking, or other operation of said sheet or web. The eliminator hereshown comprises a metal rod 2, the opposite ends of which are surroundedby sleeves 3, which extend through apertures l in supporting arms 5 andwith respect to which arms said sleeves and rod are angularly adjustable-and are normally retained in fixed position, both angularly andlongitudinally, by means of a set screw 6.

Into the opposite end of one of said sleeves extends the end. of anotherwise insulated cable 1, which conducts high potential current tothe rod 2, which, it will be noted. carries a series of spaced,laterally extending discharge elements 8, each of said elementspreferably comprising an outwardly tapering laterally resilient spiralcoil of piano wire, or the like, the inner end of which is in each casefixedly secured by solder or the like to said rod, while the outer endsof said discharge elementsterminate substantially in a line, which isspaced with respect to the path of movement of the web or sheet I. Bythis construction, each of said elements is free to vibrate or bedeflected transversely of its axis, and, as a result of which fact,there is less likelihood of their becoming broken or bent and,

therefore, out of substantial alignment.

Each of the supporting arms 5 is preferably biiurcatedinwardly from itsopposite end and throughout the greater portion of its length in orderto provide for its longitudinal adjustment with respect to a bracket 9,carried by a suitable clamp ill, which, in turn, is angularly adiustableabout a bar II, which may be provided spect to said supporting arms,cooperate to pro- 2; the elementj-l is vide for a wide adjustment in theheight and/or the lateral position of the discharge elements 8,

as shown in'Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, there is here shown a staticeliminator-comprising a metallic bar I 2, the opposite ends of which arepositioned within radially slotted annular members l3, which, in turn,are angularly adjustable within and are supported by brackets 14,carried by the under surface of a metallic guard or guide l5, having arow of spaced apertures l6, across which is intended to pass the web orindependent sheets [1, and from which web or sheets it is intended -toeliminate charges of static electricity which they may acquire, saidguard or guide usually comprising a part of the machine to which thedevice is attached. One end of the rod I2 is connected to a source ofhigh tension current by means of a wire or cable [8, while said rod isprovided between the annular members I3 with a' rowof laterallyextending outwardly tapered discharge elements l9, each of whichelements is positioned centrally with respect to one of the apertures insaid guard or guide l5.

In the operation of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and in Figs. 3and 4, the high tensionf discharge emitted from the elements 8 and i8,

respectively, impinges upon the adjacent sur-v face of the webs orsheets I and I1, thereby neutralizing or eliminating whatever charge of'the like, such as the elements 8 hereinbefore referred to, but inthisinstance, terminating outwardly in fixedly mounted pointed terminalmembers 22, each of said elements being secured by solder or the likedirectly to the rod 2ll, this constructioh being more clearly shown inFig. 8. The

rod2l is axially positioned within and spaced from theinner surface of asurrounding tubular member 23, which is provided upon one side with arowof enlarged apertures 24, in the center of each of which apertures ispositioned one of the discharge points 22. The opposite ends of thetubular member 23 are both angularly and longitudinally adjustablewithin brackets 25, which in turn are both angularly and longitudinallyadjustable upon and with respect to a bar 26, which may comprise a partof the eliminator structure, or a unitary part of the machine upon whichthe eliminator is operatively carried. By usinganeliminatorofthistypeitwillbesenthatit is unnecessary to employ a guardor shield of any kind, as the moving web or series of sheets 21 areprotected from direct contact with the discharge points 22' by the outersurface of said tubular member 23, as indicated clearly in Fig. '6.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, a simple form of static eliminator is shownas comprising a metallic bar 28, surrounded by a sleeve of insulatingmaterial 29, one end of which sleeve is filled by an insulating plug 30,while into the opposite end of said sleeve extends one'end of aninsulated wire 3|, whereby'high potential current is conducted from asuitable source to said bar. Mounted upon and surrounding the sleeve 29is a series of annular metallic rings or bands 32, to one side of eachof which is secured the conically coiled wire 33 of a discharge element,the free end of which carries a terminal discharge point 34, ashereinbefore described. In this construction it will be noted that thereis no directmetallic contact between the bar and the several rings 32,but it will be realized that a charge of high potential current in saidbar induces a 'charge in said rings, which latter charge is disshown a.relatively very small type of eliminator,

adapted for use particularly in machnes of small overall dimensions, orin highly restricted spaces within larger machines. Such eliminatorcomprises a metallic bar 35, having longitudinally spaced and laterallydirected discharge elements 31, which terminate in spaced relation witha web or series of sheets 38, which pass across the opposite surface ofa metallic guide or guard 39, in turn positioned preferably laterallywith respect to the line of said discharge elements 31 and in this casealso said guide or guard usually comprising a part of the machine towhich the device is attached. The opposite ends of the bar 36 aresupported by spaced'brackets 40, which are preferably carried by theunder surface of such guide or guard, while beyond one of said bracketssaid bar is bent angularly, so as to ex. tend through a terminal blockII, also carried by the under surface of said guide or guard, and inturn provided with a binding post 42, which connects with the end of thesaid bar 35, that extends into said block. 7

Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, an unusually highly eilicient condensertermed a neutrostat is here shown, as comprising an external cylindricalshell 43, in which is positioned an improved condenser, comprising aroll of insulative dielectric 44, to one surface of which is secured inproperly spaced relation a series of condenser elements or of metalfoil, or the like. -These elements are so initially positioned upon thestrip of dielectric, that when the latter is rolled into the form shownin Fig. 12, said elements become automatically positioned radially withrespect to one another, as suggested by Fig. 12.

In order to illustrate the arrangement by which said condenser elementsare connected to receive and discharge their respective chargesexternally, reference is had particularly to- Fig. 13, which shows a setof six elements, A, B, C, D, E and F, the second and fifth of saidelements, B and E, being connected by leads to a common wire 41, asshown in Fig. 15, which connects in turn with the secondary ll of atransformer, the opposite end of which secondary is groundedat 49,.while the primary 5|! of said transformer is connected through a resstance 5| with a suitable source of current (not shown). ment, saidresistance may comprise any one of a series of incandescent lamps havingdifferent res In such an arrange of electric current through the primarySI, and thereby indirectly varying the current obtainable from the dscharge leads 52; connected to the first, third, fourth and'sixthcondenser elements, A, C, D and F, respectively, said leads 52 beingadapted for extension to suitable static eliminator discharge units 53,such as for instance are hereinbefore described, and which may bepositioned at any suitable locations within or with relation to amachine represented by the guides or rollers 54, across which passestheweb (or series of sheets) 55.

In this phase of the invention, it will be noted briefly that there isprovided a cylindrically wound condenser, consisting of a series ofprimary elements which are charged by or from a transformer, and aseries of secondary elements which are charged by induction from saidprimary elements. The dielectric separating said elements preferablycomprises layers of varnished cambric, the number of layers and thethickness of each layer being such as to give the greatest amount ofcondenser capacity, consistent with a satisfactory factor of safetyagainst breakdown, in the event that the secondary side of the condenserbecomes grounded for a considerable safely do the work of four 18"discharge bars as with points spaced one inch apart, or four 36" barswith points spaced two inches apart, or two 72" bars with points spacedtwo inches apart.-

In fact, the condenser can be decreased in size sufliciently to lit asmaller space. Each secondary plate is brought out to its individualterminal, in such way that the several terminals are well separated andthereby reduce to a minimum the shock received, when accidentallytouching a point upon the auxiliary discharge bar.

Such a condenser arrangement contributes a high degree of flexibility tothe system, such as has never previously been equalled. And,furthermore, such a condenser may be mounted in-' side the transformerbox, in which case it does not require a special support, but therebysimplifies the installation. In such a case it is protected frommechanical damageand is 100% safe. Usually four condenser terminals areprovided, each being sumcient for a considerable number of dischargepoints, and these may be distributed in any desired arrangemenhsuch, forinstance, as in a circle, orin a straight line, covering any desiredarea in a given plane, or in fact, can be arranged to conform to anyconceivable geometric figure.

Referring to the eliminator condenser of Fig. 14, a cylindrical casing55 is shown as being closed at its opposite ends 51, and containing theU- shaped end portion 58 of a relatively large size insulated electricconductor 5!, to form a pair of parallel sections 5| of said conductor,which are separated at one end by'a spacer 5i, and surrounded bymetallic sleeves 52 and 53, to which in turn, are connected dischargeleads Cl and 55,

which pass through one of the casing endclosures 51. Through theopposite end closure extends an intake lead comprising a conductor 5!.forming 4 thecondenserprimary,whilethefrceendoiftl'ic' II sistances, andthereby diil'erent amounts same within said casing is provided with anin- Tl sulated cap 66. In this form of the device, as in the form shownin Figs. 7 and 8, a high P tential current in the conductor 59 induces acharge in both of the sleeves 62 and 63 simultaneously,

' hence these charges may be led to selected remote ing modified in manyways, as to the exact details of its construction and operation, withoutdeparting from the scope of theappended claims. Having thus described myinvention what I claim .as new and desire to protect by Letters Patentof the United States is:

1. The combination of a' static eliminator, comprising a metallic barand a series of discharge elements extending radially therefrom,

with spaced supporting discs through which said bar extends, aguard-guide 'havingspaced apertures, centrally disposed with respect toeach of which is one of said elements, said guard-guide extending in aplane substantially parallel with said bar, and arcuate brackets carriedby said guard-guide and in which said supporting discs are rotatablymounted. 5

\ 2. A static eliminator, comprising a relatively fixed support,'amember detachably secured to said support, an arm longitudinallyadjustable with respect to and normally fixedly carried bysaid member, abar carried by a free end portion 10 of said arm and adjustable bothangularly and longitudinally with respect thereto, and dischargeelements carried by said bar in adjust-- able relation to the plane'of aweb passing thereby. 3. In a static eliminator, the combination ofmetallic bar and a series of discharge elements v extending radiallytherefrom, a planular metallic ments being substantially centrallydisposed with respect to one of the apertures of said guardguide 1 '25JUIIUS smoNs.

